The Torus Times
Narciss - New Sigil II  &nbssp;                                                                                                     V 1 / N 1V
First Non-Dabus Judges Sworn In
by Sarat Vaultwatcher

        Sigil, Outlands - On the 8th of Narciss, Judge Goldhammer, ex-Guvner, tried a case for the first time in two years.  More of note, he also became the first non-dabus to do so since the War.
        The case of Sigil vs. Lamark was itself not remarkable (a petty theft), except that it was the first trial that any of the three judges re-sworn in on the 6th had tried.  All ex-Guvners, Judges Goldhammer, Scales, and Gabberslug were noted judges with many years of experience before the Faction War started.  More important to many onlookers, all three were judges b y choice, with little concern for climbing the Fraternity of Order's power structure.
        "I just had no tolerance for it," said Goldhammer, a priest of Tyr.  "I hate politics.  I did what was best for the City and ambition is only a distraction from that.  True law only comes from impartiality."
        Despite protests by the overworked Interpreters' Guild, the three judges were sworn into service to ease the workload of the Dabus judges and speed cases getting to trial.  When the Guvners left after the War, the Dabus moved in and helped give a lawless city some structure. However, their rebus speech made it difficult for legal parties to interpret a winner.  That is how the Interpreters' Guild started about a year ago.
        "I'm just glad we can return to us true lawyers arguing the case," said lawyer "Sly" Nye of the Lady's Ward.  "Before this, the Interpreters were having both sides win and making a mockery of the system.  I hate it when berks try to take my job."

Investigation Finds Arson!
by Drakus Lightquill

        Sigil, Outlands - In his report to the Sigil Advisory Council, Marcus Legup confirmed that the fire in the Hall of Records was intentionally set.
        The Hall of Records burned in a huge fire on the 9th of Retributus, leaving only a hollow shell of the main Hall and the Hall of Property Records.  Investigators were immediately called in (when the heat finally allowed it) but investigators were thwarted in their investigations when the Hall of Property Records collapsed on the 17th, killing three and wounding seven.
        "The collapse, in addition to all the original protections the Takers left, really left us peer of our own shadows," confided chief investigator Marcus Legup of the Sons of Mercy.  "However, we still work towards the truth and have already found out much.
        That much is true, even though they required help of a planewalking mercenary group.  Legup's report stated that the fire was not magical in origin (meaning either the fire was caused by a creature's base nature [such as a magma mephit might cause] or mundane).  It also states that materials had been set up well before hand, such that a single light placed in the right spot in the tunnel between the two buildings could have caused it.  While no mundane light was found, the remnants of three gith were found.  Unfortunately, they were beyond the reach of necromancy to question.
        Finally, they discovered that teleportation magic (item or spell based) was how the arsonist(s) got in and out.  Since it is known that the translocation was not by a being's innate nature, a suspect list has been formed, but without an arrest so far.
        "It's commin', don't worry," said Legup.

Entertainers Can't Mask Fun
by Cink Lenitt

        Sigil, Outlands - While all of Sigil begins settle from the events of the last few months, the Entertainers' Guild Masquerade Ball surpassed anyone's expectations.  "Even we are amazed at the success of the night," said Posing Nemot of the Entertainer's Guild.  "We were wary to try something on this scale so soon after the War but this is a true testament that the working folks of Sigil just want to be able to live their lives in peace."
        Best Costume of the Night goes to Bella Nightwings for her inspired Multi-Headed ensemble of the entire Sigil Advisory Council.  How she was able to last the night with the constant bickering back and forth is a true miracle.
        The unofficial Most Courageous Costume goes to Darla Prime who came to the Ball dressed as The Lady.  If anyone has seen Ms. Prime since the Ball please have them contact the Torus Times for an interview.
        The Ball was such a smashing success that plans are already being made for next year's event.  Word is that invitation will be sent through out the realms and the Entertainer's Guild looks to expand from one night to a whole week of festivities.  "I don't know if anything will top the previous event but we will sure try." said Nemot.
 

Sharing a table with ... Estevan
by Drakus Lightquill
        This was to be the third in a series of nine sessions of our fine editor speaking with each of the nine councilors that make up the Sigil Advisory Council. However, Estevan backed out at the last moment. Next month, we'll bang around with Adriann Goldenson, and maybe have a wig wag with Estevan also, if he's brave enough.
 


Bazaar Bargains: Mechanus Toys
by Kez'bat

        Having no children of my own, I rarely bother to stop in toy shops, but when one of my associates told me of Mechanus toys, I had to see it for myself.
        The shop is run by a rogue modron who calls himself Effivo Driht.  His personality is as dry and quirky as one would expect, but the toys he fashions are truly marvels.  Almost any creature on two legs (or four, or six) from modrons to slaadi to walking towers can be found in his extensive collection of clockwork toys.  Softer toys he also makes — from a human infant which cries until it is picked up to a truly disturbing creature with red fur which giggles and makes suggestive comments.  Effivo says this creature is the larval form of some Baatorian creature, but don't let him fool you; Mr. Driht is reluctant to admit that his mind is chaotic enough to think up such things.
        For those with slightly more jink to squander, there are a few more sophisticated toys.  One is mechanical bank which sorts coin according to the plane on which it was minted; it is completely accurate, yet utterly useless unless one travels often to the far reaches of the outer planes or the primes, where the stamp of a coin is as significant as its weight.  Another is the outlands music box: a circular ornament decorated with sixteen tiny huts around the edge of the top.  The center of the top is a circle from which a handle rises steeply as a spire.  On the very edge of the inner circle stands a figure of some being — each of the three or four such devices in the shop featured a different race.  As the handle is turned, it winds the box and moves the tiny figure from location to location, the music that is played depends on where the figure is when the winding stops.
        In short, it's probably worth a cutters spare time to take a peek into Mechanus toys.  If nothing else, a blood's likely to get a few good chuckles out of it.

Announcements

Retraction
        The Torus Times apologizes for last month's "Sharing a Table with Arwyn Swan's Son" article.  We had no intention as constantly labeling the councilor as ASS.  We endeavor not to make such mistakes publicly again.

Retraction
        We apologize to all of those who considered yourself "lost" and thus hit the blinds by taking the portal listed in last month's personals.  We had no idea that it was a one way portal to the base of the spine with Athar waiting to indoctrinate you.  We will endeavor to check every portal listed here with LeSandra the Gateseeker before listing in from here on, no matter how ironic the portal being located in the new temple of Hades is.

Sigil City Council Meeting
        The Sigil City Council meets once per month in an open session for you to air your concerns and to ratify laws on the ninth of each month.  Come and speak fairly.  But be warned, you have only two minutes before you are muted.
 


Personals

Intelligent Cutters Sought
        Are you a sharp, creative cutter?  Want to make piles of jink?  We may want you!  Sigil's Interpreters Guild, responsible for interpreting the judgements of dabus judges in the Sigilian Courts need more cutters to help keep our courts clear.  Come and try out, and you may find your natural knack waiting within you.  No training provided.

For Sale
        Dented Ring of Feather Fall.  Used once.  Minor scratches, small stain.
        Contact:  Mel the Shrieker, Lower Ward.

Help Wanted
        Torus Times is looking for a few good writers!  If you have always wanted to be a writer, here is your chance.  We're looking for reporters to go on assignment, find bargains here in Sigil, head our travel section, and other assorted jobs.  Inquiries should go to the T.T. offices next to Ylem's Replication on the border of the Lower Ward and the Hive.

Single Aasimar Male seeks beautiful female
        "I saw you at the Entertainer's Ball.  You were wearing the Deva Wings.  I am sure you saw me.  Meet me at the Wound That Bleeds at eight bells on 19th.

Wanted
        One scroll of sanity, will pay any price.
For sale
         One red thing with gold dealies on it.  You can have it cheap if you can tell me what it is.
                                                                            -Essyl of Crux

Wanted
        Berks who wants to earn some jink.  I need some investigations to be done to find a missing person.  Send a messenger boy to Tradegate and I'll contact you with in three days.
                                                                            -Armstrong

Bounty
        Looking for prime fire bat bodies for special delicacy orders.  6 GP per complete body.  Bring orders to the back door of Imel's Happy Tongue.

Wanted
        Henchperson.  Immediate opening, most applications considered.   High compressability a plus.  Portable Hole provided upon hiring.
        Contact:  Mel the Shrieker, Lower Ward.  "We never sleep"

This line could be yours!
        Anyone interested in announcing or advertising in the Torus Times can do so for a mere gold piece for 50 words or less, plus an extra 3 coppers per word more than 50.  Contact the T.T. office by the 12th of each month to get into the next issue!

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